Morris or Bumgarner?

Morris.

 

How about John Tudor in 1985?

 

Bumgarner.

 

Morris's 1991 game is still memorable to many fans almost 25 years later. I think 25 years from now Bumgarner's 2014 game will mainly be remembered by Giants fans. Joe Page had a similar game seven performance in 1947 and that performance didn't make much of an impression.

 

Yeah, but baseball was more popular in 1991 than it is now, or at least it sure as hell seems that way.

 

On second thought I am going to have to go with Bumgarner. He struck out four of 17 batters (23.5 percent). Morris struck out eight of 38 (21 percent). He also walked two guys to Bumgarner's zero. Neither gave up a home run.

Everything else is just positive variance.

 

But it's not just Morris. It's "Morris v. Smoltz" and that's why it will stick forever, even 25 years from now.

Smoltz pitched the game of his life -- he was just a rookie, but still -- and yet the old codger showed 'em up for one inning longer.

But Bumgarner's effort has become lore too. Better lore? Lesser lore? Who knows. I think the 5 innings becomes part of his 0.25 in 36 innings lore.

 

Is clutch one singular moment or does it refer to a series of such moments? This is an important distinction to make.

 

Well this year it was Bumgarner v. the Best Bullpen in baseball. One man v. three men. One man pitching out of his comfort zone against one of the best bullpens in recent history. I voted for MadBum but I don't really know if there is a correct answer.

 

Morris by far. 10-inning shutout for the win in Game 7 against a guy who pitched a few innings of relief against a shitty offense. Morris doesn't make the Hall without this game. It's legendary nearly a quarter-century later.

 

For a single game performance - Morris, and it isn't close. Morris went 10 innings, Bumgarner went five.

 

Of course, that was with the A/C blowing in.